Pages

Search This Site

21 May 2010

Early Friday, I wrote that I would be authoring a resolution for consideration by the Georgia State Democratic Convention this August that would formally endorse House Joint Resolution 78 proposing a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.

Under the provisions of Articles 3.2 and 3.3.1 of the Charter of the Democratic Party of Georgia; and Article 3.2.16 of the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of Georgia, I hereby submit the following resolution for consideration by the Georgia State Democratic Convention:

A RESOLUTION

Reaffirming the Democratic Party of Georgia's commitment to fiscal responsibility at all levels of government; commending Congressmen John Barrow, Sanford Bishop, Jim Marshall and David Scott for their dedication to the Democratic Party ideal of fiscal responsibility; endorsing House Joint Resolution 78 proposing a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution; urging the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate to quickly adopt House Joint Resolution 78 and submit the proposed constitutional amendment to the states for its ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Treasury, Bureau of the Public Debt places the debt held by the public at more than $8 trillion; and

WHEREAS, the Congressional Budget Office is a federal agency within the legislative branch mandated with providing Congress objective, nonpartisan and timely analyses to aid in economic and budgetary decisions on the wide array of programs covered by the federal budget; and

WHEREAS, an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office of President Obama's FY2011 budget request indicates the federal government would record deficits of $1.5 trillion in 2010 and $1.3 trillion in 2011; and

WHEREAS, an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office indicates that President Obama's budget would increase the debt held by the public from 53% of the Gross Domestic Product at the end of 2009 to 90% of the Gross Domestic Product at the end of 2020; and

WHEREAS, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas W. Elmendorf said, Under current law, the federal budget is on an unsustainable path, because federal debt will continue to grow much faster than the economy over the long run; and

WHEREAS, Congressman Bobby Bright (D - AL) introduced House Joint Resolution 78 proposing a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Georgia Congressmen John Barrow, Sanford Bishop, Jim Marshall and David Scott are all listed as co-sponsors of House Joint Resolution 78; and

WHEREAS, the 2008 Democratic National Platform was adopted by over 4,000 delegates, including 102 representatives from the State of Georgia, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention; and

WHEREAS, the 2008 Democratic National Platform reads in part, We will maintain fiscal responsibility, so that we do not mortgage our children’s future on a mountain of debt; and

WHEREAS, fiscal responsibility is a core value of the Democratic Party.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GEORGIA STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION that the Democratic Party of Georgia reaffirms its commitment to fiscal responsibility at all levels of government.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the delegates, alternates, standing convention committee members and state Democratic committee members commend Congressmen John Barrow, Sanford Bishop, Jim Marshall and David Scott for their dedication to the Democratic Party ideal of fiscal responsibility.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Georgia State Democratic Convention endorses House Joint Resolution 78 proposing a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Georgia State Democratic Convention urges the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate to quickly adopt House Joint Resolution 78 and submit the proposed constitutional amendment to the states for its ratification or rejection.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Democratic Party of Georgia is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to President Barack Obama, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Congressmen John Barrow, Sanford Bishop, Jim Marshall and David Scott.